Earthquake of 2005: A Day of Reflection, Resilience in AJK

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: The 19th anniversary of the catastrophic earthquake that struck on October 8, 2005, was solemnly observed across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) today, commemorated as ‘Youm e Istiqaamat’—a day of patience and resilience in the face of trials.

In remembrance of the lives lost and the destruction caused, the AJK flag flew at half-mast on all public and private buildings. The anniversary marked not only a time of mourning but also a day dedicated to raising awareness about safety from natural disasters.

It was a moment of firmness and determination to rebuild in memory of the earthquake martyrs, accompanied by special prayers for the departed souls and solidarity with survivors of this devastating catastrophe.

The earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck at 8:52 AM, with Muzaffarabad, the capital of AJK, as its epicenter. The tremor resulted in over 82,000 fatalities and left thousands injured, rendering large swathes of AJK and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) unrecognizable.

The anniversary took on added significance this year, as Mirpur also faced the aftermath of a moderate earthquake on September 24, 2019, which resulted in 45 deaths and over 1,000 injuries, along with extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure.

The day began with special prayers for the martyrs of the 2005 earthquake, along with prayers for the liberation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “Fateh Khawani” and “Quran Khawani” were conducted for the thousands who lost their lives.

In Mirpur, special functions were held to observe National Disaster Awareness Day at the Quaid-e-Azam International Cricket Stadium. Children from the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) participated in a commemorative walk, led by dignitaries including Deputy Commissioner Ch. Yasir Riaz and SSP Khawar Ali Shoukat. The walk began at the stadium and concluded at the same venue, passing through key locations in the city.

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Over 450 children residing in KORT, who lost their parents in the 2005 disaster, marched to honor their memories, joined by students from local schools and colleges.

A central prayer ceremony was held in the state capital, attended by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, who laid floral wreaths at the memorial for the martyrs. Participants observed a moment of silence at 08:52 AM, the precise time of the earthquake.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Haq and other officials paid tribute to the earthquake victims and reaffirmed their commitment to completing unfinished public welfare projects in the affected areas within the available financial resources.

The observance of the anniversary highlighted the unwavering support from the government of Pakistan, NGOs, and international partners in rebuilding and rehabilitating the earthquake-stricken regions.

Many attendees, including earthquake survivors, laid floral wreaths at the memorial monument, reflecting on the tragic events of October 8, 2005.

Across AJK, similar ceremonies, including awareness walks, seminars, and symposiums, were held in various districts, including Rawalakot, Bagh, Palandri, Kotli, and Bhimber, uniting people from all walks of life—social and political workers, lawyers, journalists, and members of the business community—in honoring the victims of this historic catastrophe.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.

Asem Mustafa Awan has extensive reporting experience with leading national and international media organizations. He has also contributed to reference books such as the Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal, among other international publications.